It looks like the Khamzat Chimaev vs Leon Edwards fight is starting to look like the new Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson – the one fight that could never get made.
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards cancelled again
Chimaev’s welterweight fight against Edwards has been cancelled due to the former still suffering from the lingering effects of COVID-19. The Chechen born fighter has lung problems stemming from the illness and will be put on medications for it. The news was confirmed to ESPN by the UFC president Dana White himself.
“I’m so bummed out. I was so excited. That was one of my favorite fights this year,” White told ESPN. “The one thing you have to look at right now is health. Let’s make sure this guy is healthy, get him the best care we can and make sure he makes a full recovery.”
The UFC are looking for a replacement fighter for Edwards to face on Match 13th although Stephen Thompson has thrown his hat into the ring for a potential fight with Edwards. Thompson stated the fight makes sense as he is ranked 5th and Edwards is ranked 3rd in the welterweight division.
Hoping for a full recovery for @KChimaev !! @Leon_edwardsmma let’s give the fans what they want to see! #3 vs #5! #makessense #Respectfully https://t.co/QXvTMr6RLz
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) February 12, 2021
Cursed fight?
This is the third time the matchup between the two has been cancelled due to COVID-19 complications. The fight was originally slated to happen on December 19th but was cancelled after Edwards tested positive for COVID-19 and was reported to have lost 12 pounds because of the illness.
The bout was rebooked for January 20th but was cancelled yet again, this time after Chimaev was deemed unfit by doctors after showing effects from a prior positive test back in early December. Unfortunately, it seems that Chimaev is still suffering from the illness and will be unable to compete in the near future. No bout has been confirmed for the Chechen native.
Khamzat Chimaev
Chimaev last fought in September where he knocked out Gerald Meerschaert in 17 seconds. The Chechen-born fighter was riding an immense momentum coming into 2021 after exploding onto the world stage in the summer of 2020 where he dominated John Phillips then fought 10 days later to defeat Rhys McKee, absorbing just two strikes from both fights. All three UFC victories have earned him a hat-trick performance of the night bonuses.
Leon Edwards
Currently riding an 8-fight win streak, Edwards last fought in July 2019 where he defeated Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision. The Birmingham born fighter has not lost since 2015 when he was then defeated on the scorecards by current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. No other fighter has been affected by the pandemic as much as the British-Jamaican fighter as he was originally set to fight Tyron Woodley back in March 2020 in a UFC London headliner. The event was one of the first UFC shows to be cancelled due to the pandemic. Edwards will be eager to get back in the Octagon after going more than a year and a half without a fight.
The latest lineup for UFC Fight Night on March 13th now includes:
- Davey Grant vs. Jonathan Martinez
- Matthew Semelsberger vs. Jason Witt
- Jinh Yu Frey vs. Gloria de Paula
- Dan Ige vs. opponent TBA
- Eryk Anders vs. Darren Stewart
- Nasrat Haqparast vs. opponent TBA
- Steve Garcia vs. Charles Jourdain
- Ricardo Ramos vs. Zubaira Tukhugov
- Ray Rodriguez vs. Rani Yahya
- Philipe Lins vs. Ben Rothwell
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